Letters to the editor reflect an engaged community.

Thank you, readers, for taking part in the conversation.

 

Star Publications 2026 Letters to the Editor Policy

            — All letters to the editor will be limited to 250 words in order to accommodate more letters and viewpoints. Readers will be allowed to submit one letter every 14 days.

            — Letters regarding issues (that make no indication of favor or opposition of a candidate, ballot measure or political party) will continue to be printed free of charge so long as they are 250 words or less. Those exceeding the word count will be charged $0.10 per word for words in excess of 250.

— All letters endorsing or opposing a candidate, ballot measure or political party will be considered paid political letters to the editor. Star Publications will charge a flat fee of $25 for 250-word or less letters. Letters exceeding the 250-word count will be charged $1 per word in excess of 250.

            Star Publications has adopted this blanket measure as, at times, endorsement letters are written as part of marketing campaigns.

— Paid political letters to the editor will be clearly marked and set apart from those letters which are not paid political letters.

            — Candidates for elected office will not be allowed to write letters to the editor. Correspondence from candidates will be published as paid advertising at display advertising rates. The only exception will be allowing candidates to respond to paid political letters to the editor regarding themselves; those responses also will be considered paid political letters to the editor and charged accordingly.

— Two issues prior to scheduled election days, readers will likely not see any paid political letters to the editor. The only exception will be to publish letters in response to those written prior to the period; those letters must not bring to light new issues.

            These deadlines are designed to protect the integrity of elections by prohibiting letters that could contain misleading or false accusations that could ultimately affect voters’ decisions should a candidate not have the opportunity to respond.

— All letters to the editor require first and last names, addresses and phone numbers. This allows newspaper staff to verify the letter writer’s identity. Star Publications does not print anonymous letters of any kind. Names and city of residency will be published in the newspaper along with the letter copy.

— By submitting a letter, a writer gives Star Publications the right to publish the piece in print and online.

— All fees must be paid prior to copy deadlines.

            — Star Publications reserves the right to refuse letters as well as to edit for style, mechanics and grammar. All columns and letters printed on the opinion pages of Star Publications newspapers are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Star Publications.

 

2026 Benton County Herald deadlines for political letters to the editor

            Letters to the editor for the Benton County Herald can be emailed to natasha@star-pub.com or mailed or dropped off at our office located at 2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379.

 

Township Day               March 10          Letters due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18

Primary                        Aug. 11             Letters due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 22

Election Day                  Nov. 3             Letters due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14

 

 

2026 Sauk Centre Herald deadlines for political letters to the editor

            Letters to the editor for the Sauk Centre Herald can be emailed to shalon.w@star-pub.com or mailed or dropped off at our office located at 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre.

 

Township Day               March 10          Letters due by noon Monday, Feb. 16

Primary                        Aug. 11             Letters due by noon Monday, July 20

Election Day                  Nov. 3             Letters due by noon Monday, Oct. 12

 

 

2026 The Star Post deadlines for political letters to the editor

            Letters to the editor for The Star Post can be emailed to carol.m@star-pub.com or mailed or dropped off at our office located at 408 E. Main St., Melrose.

 

Township Day               March 10          Letters due by 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16

Primary                        Aug. 11             Letters due by 10 a.m. Monday, July 20

Election Day                  Nov. 3             Letters due by 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12

 

Letters to the editor received en masse

 

When a large number of letters are sent regarding a particular subject, Star Publications will publish up to 10 letters within its print pages and publish the remaining letters online. Letters published in print will reflect views in percentage of the total number of letters received.

Example: If 20 letters are received regarding a particular subject and 16 are in favor of the subject and four are against, 80% of the letters are in favor and 20% are against. So, of 10 letters printed in the newspaper, eight will be in favor and 2 against.

As always, letters to the editor are welcome and must include a first and last name, address, and phone number of the letter writer. Anything over 250 words will be charged accordingly.

For questions and concerns, feel free to contact natasha@star-pub.com.